The Cincinnati Reds received troubling news yesterday when they placed star pitcher Hunter Greene on the 15-day injured list with right elbow soreness.
The situation became even more concerning when reports surfaced that Greene was traveling to Los Angeles to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon.
Now, the outlook appears even worse. Before today's game against the Athletics, manager Terry Francona revealed there is "a slim chance" Greene pitches again this season, per Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19 on X.
Francona added that the Reds should have a firmer explanation later tonight after Greene receives a second opinion.
Greene began the season on the 60-day injured list after undergoing right elbow surgery on March 11 to remove loose bodies and bone chips. The former All-Star did not make his season debut until July 4.
In total, Greene made five starts, posting a 2-2 record with an ugly 6.83 ERA, 33 strikeouts and a 1.37 WHIP across 27.2 innings.
Unfortunately, injuries have become a recurring theme throughout Greene's young career. He has yet to eclipse 150 innings or 26 starts in any of his five major league seasons.
However, the right-hander's talent remains undeniable, headlined by his blazing fastball that averaged 98.3 mph this season. The Reds extended the now 27-year-old before the 2023 season, signing him to a six-year, $53 million contract.
With how expensive pitching has become in today's game, the deal looked brilliant for Cincinnati's front office. But if Greene faces another significant absence, that contract suddenly becomes much more perturbing.
Greene remains under contract for two more seasons after this year, with a $21 million club option for 2029.
His name was heavily floated in trade rumors before Monday's deadline, but no deal came to fruition. Cincinnati was not going to part with its star pitcher without being blown away by an offer.
With this season all but lost, there was at least some excitement surrounding the final two months, with Greene and Cy Young candidate Chase Burns giving Cincinnati a glimpse of what could be a dominant duo atop its future rotation.
But now, Cincinnati can only hope the upcoming news on Greene isn't the worst-case scenario it appears to be.
